Hoi An Local Customs

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Hoi An is famous for its paper lanterns which the Chinese traders brought here. You can see them being made if you walk west from the Japanese Covered Bridge to the Dinh Cam Pho Communal House on your right before you get to the ticket booth.

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I saw people all over town eating little things normally from a plastic bag...some using tweezer like tools to extricate the meaty portions from the shells...

In hindsight I should have taken some close up pictures of the little critters but I didn't and now I wish that I had...

So....if you're wondering what it is that these people might be snacking on...if you see it happening...now you know...

NO....I didn't eat any...Im not too adventurous stepping outside of my culinary boundaries..

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Hoi An Old Quarter Access Ticket…

In order to access certain buildings and museums in the Old Quarter it is necessary to purchase a ticket.

There are at least six locations around the Old Quarter where you can purchase these tickets and these small shop like structures are easily identifiable. They have a sign on them with the UNESCO logo that identifies them as being ticket outlets.

When I visited in January of 2010 the cost of the ticket was 90,000 Dong…which is approximately equivalent to about $ 5.00 USA .

This ticket will enable you to access and visit a number of the preserved attractions or cultural events in the Old Quarter of Hoi An..

You can make a choice of five visits…choose from a list of four museums, three assembly halls, four “old houses”, two “intangibles”, and two “others”..

Make your choices…you can visit only one from each section…and from what I was told there is NO substitution permitted…so theoretically if you want to visit more than one venue from each section then you’ll need to purchase a second or third ticket.

For some reason I was able to wiggle around this and made my way into more than one venue with my ticket..

Its possible and maybe advisable to hire a guide to escort you through these sites…they’re insight and explanations of the various sites is certainly helpful. To hire a guide the cost when I was here was only 5000 Dong…less than $3.00 USA…well worth the cost.

The lists are as follows…

Museums…Sa Huynh Culture.
Trade Ceramics…
History and Culture..
Folk Culture…

Assembly Halls…Truc Chau…
Quang Dong..
Phuc Kien…

Old Houses…..Tran Family…
Phung Humg Family…
Quan Thung Family..
Tan Ky Family

Intangibles….Traditional Music Concert…
Handicraft Workshop…

Others…The Japanese Bridge..
Quan Ching Temple…

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As you wander around Hoi An, you may come across some funny sights involving animals.

Some people may find it a little distressing seeing the Animals tied, hanging, or in very smalll cramped cages, if this is the case.........

then it would be best to avoid the Animal market area, located near Can Nam Bridge.

Around Hoi An, I saw basket boats, but when I went to the fishing village on CHAM ISLAND, there were lots, and it was really interesting watching the locals in them.

Local fishermen believe that riding inside a basket boat is quite safe if you know how to control it properly.

Although learning can be difficult at first, floating in a basket boat is generally safe on a calm sea.

Some places teach Tourists how to sit firmly in the basket boat and the proper rowing technique. The "Beginner" rowers must practice until they have mastered the skill, there is always somebody nearby to help.

Locals say that the best time to learn and practice basket boat rowing is in the morning when the sea is calmest. It is important to sit down, relax and let the boat drift naturally on the waves of the turquoise sea.

Remember to ask for a life - jacket, you may need it!

Hoi An lanterns ........The silk lanterns are almost everywhere in Hoi An, with a myriad of shapes and designs in every kind of colour you can think of. You will see Lantern shops, and Lanterns just about anywhere.

The Lanterns are made of a frame of bamboo and wood that is covered with flowery or plain, coloured silk. Additionally, artisans decorate the lantern with interesting poems or create a painting telling tales.
Hoi An’s silk lanterns are a blend of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese elements.

If you wish to buy one to take home, and looking at it, you don't know how? well.......craftsmen have designed lanterns that easily fold up into bags or suitcases, this solves that problem

On the 15th of every lunar month, the town turns off its street lamps and fluorescent lights, leaving the Old Quarter bathed in the glow of colored silk lanterns.

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Located on the river,right in front of the Phoi Hoi Riverside resort, is a Fisherman's home and his fishing net. The bridge that crosses the River here, is a good place to watch how the Net operates, and how the people get to their home on the narrow piece of bamboo.

If you are only in Hoi An then this is a good spot to see how a Fishing net operates.

WHERE ...Stand on the bridge that crosses to Xa Cam Nam

Ao Dai is worn by women and girls everywhere in Vietnam (especially in central and southern parts of the country). But it was in Hoi An that I saw groups of school girls riding their bikes and dressed in impeccable white ao dai. I wish I had managed to take some pictures. The girls looked so charming and unique!
Traditionally, the colours of ao dai should indicate the age and status of a person who wears it. White is reserved for young girls. Older, but unmarried girls wear pastel colours. Strong and rich colours are allowed for mature married women.
Ao dai consists of a long gown which splits above the waist height, worn over wide trousers. It allows freedom of movement but at the same time looks very feminine emphasizing the natural curves of woman's body.
Today ao dai is mostly worn by female staff in hotels and offices and by girls in chosen schools.